HIGHWAY planners have rebuffed claims a new pedestrian crossing in Christchurch is dangerous and breaches regulations.

The puffin crossing in Somerford Road opposite Meteor Retail Park was installed in recent weeks and caused major traffic disruption in the area.

Resident Nigel Brooks wrote to Dorset County Council to highlight that the location of the crossing goes against guidelines from the Department of Transport.

The Government body recommends that sites should be a minimum of 20 metres from a side road for signalled-controlled installations.

Mr Brooks says the puffin crossing is 12 metres from the retail park entrance, 12 metres from the junction with Wilverley Road and four metres from the junction with Edward Road.

His letter to the council adds: "The crossing should not be authorised for public use due to its dangerous location and also because of the legal ramifications of a highway accident at the new crossing point.

"One can see from ‘Google Streetview’ that there was already a perfectly adequate crossing point at this location with a central refuge island. Why was this seen as inadequate?

"Further, a Pelican crossing already exists some 100 metres on Somerford Road to the north."

He also highlights the level of disruption caused by the work to install the new crossing could be argued as "on par" with delays at Blackwater junction and the A338 Spur Road.

In response, a Dorset County Council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that the traffic signal controlled pedestrian crossing, recently constructed at Somerford Road and in association with the Meteor Retail Park development, fully complies with the standards set out within the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and LTN 2/95.

“The pedestrian crossing was a condition of the planning permission granted by Christchurch Borough Council for the retail development with the aim of improving local safe, sustainable transport links.

“All efforts were made to co-ordinate the works in a manner that reduced the impact on traffic using Somerford Road. However, we acknowledge motorists did experience some disruption, given the location of the crossing.”